Bank Bridge is one of the most beloved and recognizable among the many bridges in St. Petersburg. It spans the Griboedov Canal and connects Spassky and Kazansky Islands. Its popularity is explained by its proximity to the Kazan Cathedral and the four griffin statues with golden wings holding massive cables.

The history of the bridge began in 1825-1826 when it was designed and built. This was necessary due to the population growth in the area. The project was handled by German engineer Wilhelm von Trettter along with his assistant Vasily Khristianovich. Von Trettter worked in Russia from 1814 to 1831 and participated in the creation of more than ten bridges in the city. The idea of the winged lions belongs to sculptor Pavel Sokolov. The metal parts were manufactured at the Berda factory.

The project was approved in February 1825, and construction began in the summer. It was planned to complete the work by October, but due to difficulties with the metal, the process was delayed until May 1826. Pyotr Sokolov was simultaneously creating the sculptures. Initially, they were planned to be made of copper, but cast iron was chosen instead. The figures were cast at the Alexandrovsky factory, and the wings were made of copper sheets and covered with gold leaf.

The official opening of the bridge took place on August 5, 1826, and on the first day, more than 9,000 people crossed it.

Over time, the bridge lost its original appearance: the lanterns above the griffins were broken, and the cast-iron railings were replaced with simple wrought iron ones. The first restoration took place in 1949 under the project of architect Alexander Rotach. In 1951-1952, the lanterns and railings were updated, returning the bridge to its lead color. The wooden decking was also repaired.

In the following years, minor repairs were carried out. In 1967, restorers led by V. I. Pokrovskaya updated the gilding of the rosettes and lanterns. In 1997, the sculptures and the grille were repaired, and in 2009, vandals damaged the gilding of the statues, which required their protection in 2011.

The last major restoration took place in 2017 when the griffins were dismantled for repairs. The bridge was reopened on June 19, 2019, but already now, the statues show signs of damage.

During the 2017 restoration, many coins, banknotes, and notes were found in the griffins, as well as unexpected items like a teapot lid. It is planned to return the bridge to its appearance before the mid-20th-century restoration by changing the color of the sculptures and repairing other elements.

In the 19th century, chain bridges held by metal chains were popular in St. Petersburg. Only three have survived to this day: Post Office, Lion, and Bank Bridges. The latter is intended for pedestrians, it is non-drawbridge and single-span. The span length is 25.2 m, and the width is 1.85 m. The structure consists of chains, suspensions, and a wooden deck, while cast-iron ramps support the entire structure.

The main decoration of the bridge, the winged lions, are often referred to as griffins. The height of the statues is 2.4 meters. Another decorative element is the ornate grille with palm leaves and fans. Initially, it was made of cast iron, but it disappeared after restoration in the late 19th century. In 1952, it was restored according to Trettter's drawings.

The name "Bank Bridge" appeared in 1836 due to the location of the Assignation State Bank of the Russian Empire on Griboedov Street. The bridge led directly to its entrance. Today, the St. Petersburg State University of Economics is located here, but the name of the bridge has remained.

The griffins symbolize the union of strength and mind, earth and sky, and were considered guardians of wealth. This served as the reason for choosing winged lions for the bridge next to the bank. From a technical point of view, the statues conceal the supporting structures of the bridge.

There is a legend that the Bank Bridge can improve financial conditions. To do this, one must place a coin under the griffin's paw, rub it, make a wish, and kiss the spot above the tail. One can also write a wish on a piece of paper and place it under the paw of the griffin closer to the Kazan Cathedral.

The Bank Bridge often appears in films. It was featured in the movies "Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia" and "The Magic Power."

You can reach the bridge from the "Nevsky Prospekt" metro station by exiting to the Kazan Cathedral and walking along the Griboedov Canal. There are also public transport stops nearby where buses and trolleybuses stop.